This Fall, our team has dedicated itself to continued learning through professional conferences and convenings that help us ensure our internal processes, community programs, and investment strategies remain at the forefront of philanthropic innovation.
These professional development opportunities are a chance to learn about emerging trends and technologies within the field, connect with fellow funders to share information and ideas, and explore strategies that will help us expand our impact in Alamance County.
We are committed to implementing these new learnings here in our community as we continue to build a healthier, smarter, and stronger Alamance County.
Strive Together: Cradle to Career Network Convening
In September, Vice President of Education Programs, Tyronna Hooker, and Elon Year of Service Fellow, Jasmine Walker, traveled to Atlanta for StriveTogether’s Cradle to Career Network Convening.
The 2025 convening, themed 4 Million Futures: Pathways to Opportunity, placed youth and economic mobility at the forefront, focusing on a shared vision that supports the dreams, goals, and ambitions of millions of young people across the nation. A major emphasis was placed on early childhood, recognizing that strong beginnings are essential to lifelong success.
Participants explored the power of place-based partnerships—community coalitions that connect nonprofits, businesses, schools, philanthropy, and other sectors to support strong futures for our youth. Expert panels and breakout sessions highlighted the importance of data-driven initiatives, sustainable and accessible employment pathways, and approaches to dismantle structural and historical disparities in order to expand opportunity for all.
Tyronna Hooker shared how the convening reinforced key principles that guide Impact Alamance’s work.
“For our community, this experience reinforced three commitments to the way we do this work,” Tyronna said. “We must disaggregate everything—not just ‘children,’ but which children. We must move from dashboards to decisions, using data to drive action. And we must center parents as partners, because lived experience is data.”
“Measure what matters. Share it publicly. Use it collectively,” she added. “That’s how systems change—and that’s how communities change too.”
For Jasmine Walker, attending the convening for the first time was both inspiring and transformative.
“Hearing from leaders across the country reinforced that real systems change begins with shared accountability and a willingness to face inequities head-on,” Jasmine said. “The convening highlighted how data, when paired with community voice, can become a powerful tool for storytelling, transparency, and transformation.”
Click here to learn more about the 2025 Cradle to Career Network Convening!
2025 Press Forward Summit
In early October, our President, Tracey Grayzer, joined more than 200 funders, non-profits, and community-oriented organizations from across the country at the 2025 Press Forward Summit in Charlotte. This national convening brought together changemakers committed to strengthening local news—galvanizing the growing Press Forward coalition through shared insights and expert knowledge, including leaders from local North Carolina newsrooms.
The summit celebrated the coalition’s remarkable progress over its first two years, including the investment of more than $400 million in local news initiatives by aligned funders. Attendees explored strategies to expand the movement’s reach by creating a “bigger tent”—welcoming new stakeholders into the fold and amplifying the impact of the coalition.
Breakout sessions and expert panels offered practical guidance on how funders can support long-term sustainability for local news, assess the evolving needs of community-based news organizations, and identify new revenue streams such as catalytic capital. The event underscored the vital role of local journalism in building informed, connected communities—and the power of collaboration to safeguard the future of our newsrooms.
After two days of energizing conversations and collaborative learning, Tracey reflected on what resonated most from the summit.
“The experience reinforced just how essential access to local news and information is to the civic health of our community. When people can easily understand what’s happening around them, they’re better equipped to engage, participate, and make informed decisions. Organizations like ours play a vital role in building information ecosystems that meet people where they are and reflect the many ways they seek and share knowledge.”
Click here to learn about key takeaways from the 2025 Press Forward Summit!
Harwood Summit
In late October, several For Alamance Team Leads joined our staff at the 17th Annual Harwood Summit, held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. This gathering marked another step in our ongoing commitment to the For Alamance initiative through continued learning, reflection, and engagement.
Together with 50 local and national leaders, they explored pressing challenges, reflected on their agency to lead change, and renewed their commitment to building a new trajectory of hope for communities across the country.
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in small group discussions and large plenary sessions that focused on aligning initiatives with communities’ specific needs, emphasizing the importance of local, place-based work, and navigating division and tension while honoring the dignity of all individuals. They also discussed the power of celebrating progress, sharing the good news, and transforming hopelessness into action.
Our Program Director, Jewel White, said the experience was both energizing and grounding.
“Engaging in intentional conversations with community leaders from across the country was both refreshing and affirming—it reminded me that we’re not alone in this work,” Jewel said. “Attending my fourth Harwood Summit reenergized me and helped center my focus as we prepare for the next phase of the For Alamance initiative.”
The summit reinforced the power of community-led efforts and the importance of staying rooted in public knowledge as we work to strengthen civic life in Alamance County.
Click here to read the latest updates from the For Alamance network!
Philanthropy Southeast
In November, members of our team had the opportunity to attend the 56th Annual Philanthropy Southeast Conference in New Orleans, themed Bold Action, Radical Hope.
At a time when the charitable sector faces mounting uncertainty, this gathering served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and potential within our field. The conference challenged us to confront these realities not with fear, but with radical hope and bold action.
The conference featured an engaging array of plenary sessions, expert-led panels, and interactive breakout discussions covering a wide range of timely topics. From artificial intelligence and disaster relief to data-driven decision-making and impact storytelling, the sessions offered both inspiration and practical tools for expanding the work in our community.
We were especially energized by the opportunity to learn from thought leaders and peers across the region—each bringing unique perspectives, lived experiences, and innovative approaches to the work of philanthropy. These shared insights not only deepened our understanding of the evolving landscape but also sparked new ideas for how we can strengthen our efforts here in Alamance County.
Impact Alamance’s Communications Specialist, Mollie Lund, shared how the conference provided insight and inspiration.
“Hearing from both subject matter and sector experts about the innovative programs and experiential strategies being piloted by organizations across the country was both insightful and inspiring. These conversations showcased creative approaches to tackling complex challenges, sparking fresh ideas for how we can amplify local impact here in Alamance County by building on our existing programs and exploring new ways to foster connection, equity, and opportunity.”
Click here to learn more about the 2025 Philanthropy Southeast Conference!
Harwood Catalytic Guides
In November, Impact Alamance’s Director of Communications and Advocacy Laura Fehlhafer completed the Harwood Community Guide (HCG) program—an intensive, hands-on experience often described as a “practical PhD” in creating and catalyzing change. With Laura’s completion of the program, every member of our staff’s leadership team has now participated in the HCG program, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to community-led transformation.
This advanced training equips participants with the tools and strategies needed to grow a broader movement for impact. By deepening their understanding of community-led change, Laura has further strengthened our collective capacity to drive meaningful, lasting progress in Alamance County.
Reflecting on the experience, Laura shared:
“Being part of the Harwood Catalytic Guide program has been a meaningful journey of reflection and growth. It has encouraged me to pause and think more deeply about our work, my own leadership, and how I can be more intentional and catalytic in advancing our mission and strengthening our community’s civic culture.”
“One of the most rewarding parts of the experience has been learning alongside other organizational leaders. Their openness, thoughtfulness, and support created a space where we could learn together, challenging ourselves to shift our mindsets and behaviors in ways that spark lasting, positive change.”
Cone Health Professional Coach Training Cohort
This Fall, Impact Alamance’s Program Director Jewel Tillman joined Cone Health’s 10th Professional Coach Training cohort—an exciting milestone in Cone Health’s Strategic Vision 2030: Workforce Developed for the Future of Value-Based Care. The program equips participants with the tools, skills, and mindset to foster growth, accountability, and high performance—skills that are essential for driving meaningful change across organizations and communities.
The training prepares leaders to serve as internal coaches and apply a coaching approach in their daily work. Delivered by a Master Certified Coach and aligned with Internal Coaching Federation (ICF) standards, the program also supports participants in pursuing the Associate Certified Coach designation.
Jewel’s participation reflects Impact Alamance’s ongoing commitment to investing in leadership development as a pathway to deeper community impact. By cultivating a coaching mindset, she will be better positioned to support collaborative efforts, empower local partners, and strengthen our work in the community.
